Early-Birding

So, yes. Up at 5:15 this morning. Pouring rain, and only 55 degrees (13C). Put on a wool sweater and handknit socks. Out of the house at 6:15, but, oops! Left my coffee at home. (Too early.) Too late to turn back. Buy more at the hospital coffee shop. (Better-tasting than I expected.)

Dad checked in, we went upstairs to wait in the Day-Surgery waiting room. He got called in, I sat and knitted with the Today Show while other people came and went.

(In fact, I finally gave up waiting for the room to empty out and just got up to TAKE this picture, darn it, with a muttered, "It's a blogging thing," to the person sitting next to the coffee.)

Dad was finished a little late . . . it took longer than the doctor had expected . . . but we were out of the hospital by 9:00. Ran through the rain to get the car while he waited by the drop off/pick up doorway. Drove to the pharmacy to get his prescriptions filled. Back home to a confused Chappy by 9:30.

Back in the car to go to work. Thought about stopping at Starbucks for a snack. "I deserve a treat," I tell myself. Then I glanced at the clock and realized it had been four hours since breakfast. Definitely deserved a treat. Stopped, another cup of coffee and a doughnut, then on to the office. Answer a couple of questions about Dad and then settled in to work. Four hours later . . . having skipped lunch (other than the doughnut) . . . fading and tired . . . left to come home.

3:30, Mom was home from taking my niece to see her dorm room. (Niece is thrilled--her room is in a newly-renovated brownstone, all fresh and "new," and is one of the biggest rooms in the building.)

Boiled spaghetti for supper, which we ate early even by our standards--we were all hungry after our early breakfasts. And now, 6:20, I'm tired. I definitely feel like I've been up for that extra hour and a half (grin).

My socks, meanwhile, are coming along nicely. Getting close to time to do the heel. I got quite a lot done during those two-plus hours at the hospital. I'm loving how different they look--very much fraternal twins, these two. Usually that would bug me a bit, but I suppose that since I spun the yarn, I'm not feeling overly critical. Or maybe I'm just too tired to get worked up over it?

The plying head for my Little Gem came today. Look at the size of that bobbin! I balanced my Canon Elph on top to give you an idea of the scale. I also put a Lendrum plying bobbin next to it to give you another comparison--that's a little taller, but the Majacraft is definitely wider. (I mean, come on, I balanced my CAMERA on top and had plenty of room.) Huge. Really huge. It had really better have enough space for all 9 ounces of that "Carbon" yarn. Although, still, I wish that Woollee Winders came in Majacraft-plying size . . .

Now. Dad's feeling fine, if tender. (The Tylenol-with-codeine is no doubt helping.) Mom's safely home, but tired from five hours driving in the rain. Chappy's still confused but glad to have everyone home where they belong. I'm definitely tired but feel that I'm up to knitting tonight. I finished my Ribby sweater's fronts last night and started the sleeves. (As in, I cast on and knit all of two rows, but hey, they're started!) No, I haven't swatched yet for my Autumn Rose. I'm going to need to enlarge the chart for that, and even if I'd had the mental energy to remember this morning, I wouldn't have wanted to bring the book out in the rain today to get it to the office copy machine. Because, did I mention it was raining? A lot.

Five more hours to bedtime . . . well, to my normal bedtime. Somehow, I think my light's going to be out a little early tonight! No doubt Chappy will be glad to see things get back to normal tomorrow.

Comments

[Meg in North AL]

I'm glad your dad's doing okay post-surgery. Do you think you could manage to send some of that 56 degree, drippy weather this way? We sure could use it. Love the socks -- they make me want to get back to spinning soon.

[Judy G.]

Go to bed! Sounds like a stressful day- tomorrow should be more routine (which is not a bad thing). Glad your dad did well. Give Chappy a pat on the head for me.

[Bethe]

Glad to hear that your dad is feeling good after surgery. Tylenol with codeine is a very good thing. =)

No wonder I'm tired so early! I'm up at 4:45 every morning! Here I was feeling all old and stuff because I start fading at 10 pm now... ;)

Your socks look great and WOW - that is one big bobbin!

[Angie]

I'm glad all went well for your Dad today and I hope he heals up quickly. Deb, it sounds like you had a very full day...connecting with your pillow a bit early might be good for you. :-) Your socks look lovely!

[minnie]

i understand being tired. we're adusting to school hours (starts tomorrow, whoopeee!), and i was up at 630, and then had to run son #1 to marching band practice, and then son #2 to his 8th grade orientation. then ran hubbie & son #2 home, picked up son #1, and ran to pick up pizza. i just got finished eatinga few minutes ago. and i gotta go to the store to b uy milk, or there'll be no milk for cereal tomorrow. and we're getting up at 545. ugh.

[Judy H.]

Love those socks! You've got me wanting to get another pair of handspun on the needles. I love the picture of the socks with the coffee, too. Glad your dad is doing well, and that your niece got settled in well.

[Caroline M]

It's not just the early start but the change to your normal day is tiring too. It sounds as if everyone had a day worth getting up early for and that's the main thing.

That is one big bobbin. It would be a challenge to fill that.

[Lizzy B]

I can tell you that I've gotten 9.5 ounces of dk/fingering weight yarn on my Majacraft plying bobbin in the past, so you ought to be fine. :) What an eventful day! Sounds like you are getting some of the weather we've been having since Sunday. I've worn socks every day this week! Feels like Autumn rather than August doesn't it? :O) Please tell your Dad I hope he mends quickly!

[Kristi aka Fiber Fool]

I'm glad the procedure went smoothly for your dad and that you survived the early rising. That plying bobbin is indeed huge. I'll be interested in what you think of that set up. So far I don't think I've filled a standard bobbin more than a couple of times because I tend to do just 4 ounce projects - at least so far.

[Chris]

I'm glad things went well for your dad! I'm LOVING those socks.

[Carol]

Here's to normal! Love your new socks, they're really nice! Glad to hear all is OK :)

[JessaLu]

Glad your Dad's procedure went well - and holy plying head, Batman!! :o)